Deportation of Chagos Islanders blocked by judge
BBC World
February 20, 2026
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A judge has ruled to temporarily block the deportation of four Chagossians who traveled to their homeland in the Chagos Islands to protest against Britain's agreement to hand over the territory to Mauritius. The men, part of a group that sailed from Sri Lanka, were attempting to establish a permanent settlement on the islands, which they consider their ancestral home. British authorities had served eviction notices, but lawyers for the Chagossians successfully argued for an injunction, delaying their removal for at least seven days. The judge ruled that the delay in granting permits and the lawfulness of the deportation orders were questionable, stating that the men posed no threat to national security.
The Chagossians' journey has been framed as a peaceful protest against the UK's deal with Mauritius, which would transfer control of the archipelago while allowing Britain to retain its military base on Diego Garcia. The group, including Mis
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/20/2026